Business

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Agreement is often preferable to litigation. Court cases can be expensive and stressful, with no certainty of winning. Our lawyers can guide you through a range of alternative dispute resolution options to obtain a practical and cost effective outcome. Whether through cross table negotiation, formal or informal mediation, or arbitration, we are experienced in using a range of methods outside of formal litigation to resolve disputes.

Thomas Dewar can help you reach a solution in a cost effective manner. We can help you decide which approach is in your best interests, taking into account your budget and the urgency of your situation. We will offer realistic and pragmatic advice about the problem you face and the best means of achieving your aims.

Business

Building Law

There have always been leaky buildings and there have always been bad builders. Because construction is often a high risk activity for both builders and their clients, having skilled legal representation is a big step towards receiving a positive outcome.

Thomas Dewar have acted for both builders and clients over many years in a wide range of disputes and have extensive experience in this area of law. We understand building issues and the effects they have on clients and we see the resolution of building disputes as a very important part of our practice.

Business

Commercial and Civil Claims

From issues with your insurance company to someone suing you, these are problems that no one enjoys dealing with. They can be stressful situations which people want resolved effectively, quickly and often quietly. Having an experienced legal team like Thomas Dewar by your side will streamline that process.

Our expert civil team at Thomas Dewar can provide advice and representation in a wide range of civil and commercial matters. From negotiation and mediation through to Court proceedings seeking injunctive or other urgent relief, we offer a number of options to resolve your dispute. Providing sound legal advice, we will help you decide what will be most effective for you and your claim.

Business

Education

Thomas Dewar represent and act for a number of Boards of Trustees, advising and assisting in a range of legal issues that have an impact on the education sector. We also have experience in representing students facing school disciplinary proceedings and can act as advisors and advocates as appropriate.

Business

Employment

Either an employer or an employee, dealing with difficult workplace disputes or issues can be difficult. You want to be sure that you have a team that can provide practical and effective help. We act for both employers and employees on all issues that may arise in the workplace: from redundancy and restructuring, to Health and Safety advice and representation on both sides of personal grievances.

We provide effective and robust representation for all parties in the workplace. For employers, we can provide a range of services, from drafting of individual employment agreements, regulatory compliance and resolving disputes. For employees, we can provide advice on prospective terms of employment, as well as representation for personal grievances and advice on your rights in the workplace.

Business

Insolvency and Liquidation

Insolvency rules are often misunderstood and processes are often misused. We recover debts for those who are owed money, represent liquidators and receivers, and act for those facing such action.

Thomas Dewar has extensive and wide ranging experience in all matters of corporate and personal insolvency. We regularly take liquidation action against insolvent companies, and advise those facing liquidity and other financial issues on the legal options available to them. Insolvency is a specialist area and we have conducted major litigation in the High Court and Court of Appeal under the Insolvency Act 2006 and the Companies Act 1993.

Business

Leasing Disputes

We have experience acting for both commercial and residential landlords and tenants in the full range of issues that arise between them. We can take Court action to remove a tenant that is in breach of their lease, and can also protect a tenant from action initiated by over-zealous landlords. We act often in disputes over rent reviews, renewals of leases, assignments of leases, recovery of rent and enforcement of the terms of a lease - from both the tenant and the landlord's perspective.

Business

Litigation

Thomas Dewar is a specialist litigation practice. A business’s objective is always to avoid litigation. Sometimes it is inevitable, in which case we will advocate fearlessly for you to promote or defend your position, as the case requires. Our staff are expertly trained in the management of these conflicts to listen to your needs, understand the risks and potential outcomes and guide you through these conflicts while always thinking strategically in seeking the best outcome for you.

Business

Local Government

The business of local government is both broad and
specialist and we are recognised experts in this area. Thomas Dewar Sziranyi Letts has
advised our local authority on all aspects of local government law for over 20
years, including property and development matters, infrastructure and public
works, rating issues, Building Act issues and dog control. We are
also able to assist private clients in respect of disputes or issues with other
local Councils.

Business

Medico-Legal

Medico-legal cases must be treated with the utmost sensitivity. With often multiple parties involved in the legal process, proceeding to find resolution can at times be complex. We know when to bring an issue to the Health and Disability Commissioner, when to take Court action and when to refer a matter to the appropriate professional disciplinary body to investigate. We always aim to listen to our client's needs, while providing effective legal solutions to their needs.

Thomas Dewar provides sound advice and legal services to patients and medical practitioners. We have years of experience in representing clients with complex ACC claims, Coronial enquiries and professional disciplinary complaints body.

Business

Property

Buying, selling or leasing property is serious business.
Thomas Dewar Sziranyi Letts can assist you with the sale and purchase of property, refinancing debt, leasing and
subdivisions. We can also offer advice and representation in Unit Title
and body corporate disputes.

Business

Shareholder Disputes

When business relationships breakdown, we have the experience necessary to advocate, negotiate, and most importantly, to solve the problems that have arisen between shareholders. Whether the outcome results in a renegotiated shareholder agreement, the acquisition of shares or in litigation, we provide focused and practical advice.

Business

Tax Litigation

If you are in a dispute with Inland Revenue over the assessment of tax and the Disputes Review Unit have found in favour of the Revenue, we can assist with a challenge to the Taxation Review Authority or, in appropriate cases, by taking High Court Action. We can help also with advocating for the removal (or reduction) of penalties and interest, as well as negotiating repayment plans that you can afford, where the tax owing is not in dispute.